What a treat to welcome superstar author Robert Tregoning into The Reading Realm today to talk about his new book WHAT THE CROW SAW BELOW, which is illustrated by Greg Stobbs…

Before we settle down in The Reading Realm and chat about your new book, what’s your drink and snack of choice?

Oooh what a lovely way to start the interview! I think drink-wise it will be a cup of tea because I’ve already had too many cups of coffee today. And for a snack, I think it will be my go to, which is a slice of toast with lots of butter. 

What does What  the Crow Saw Below mean to you?

What the Crow Saw Below is a very special story to me. It’s a story that’s all about fear and as a member of the queer community, I know all too well how fear can be used to persuade and divide, how it can hold us back and limit our lives. I wanted to write a story that championed love and hope over prejudice and fear. I was walking in the park one day with my dog Barney when we passed beneath a tree. Up in the branches, a group of crows began to wail a warning wail. They seemed to cry, ‘Caw, caution! Caw, caw, caw!’ I knew we posed no danger to them but they squawked until we were out of sight. That was when inspiration struck and I knew I’d found the characters I needed to tell the story. Into this group of fearful crows, I decided to put one brave youngster. She would begin to question what she’d been told by her elders, realise that some imagined dangers were never real dangers and eventually, lead all the crows to throw ‘Caw, caution’ to the wind!

What would you say the main themes in What the Crow Saw Below are?

The main themes in What the Crow Saw Below are bravery, hope and challenging assumptions. It’s a story about not just taking someone else’s word for something, following your instincts and seeing the truth for yourself. I also think it’s a story that reminds us, not everything we hear grown-ups saying is always true!

I wondered how What the Crow Saw Below was similar and different to Out of the Blue?

I suppose both are stories based on my experience and told through a metaphor. Out of the Blue is very much rooted in my childhood, growing up gay in the 90s under section 28 whereas What the Crow Saw Below is more of a comment on the world in which I grew up and the world in which we are all still living. What the Crow Saw Below is the first of the stories I’ve written to be published with a main character who isn’t human (or fairy). Telling this story through the eyes of a bird and setting the adventure in nature was something I really enjoyed. I also feel very fortunate to be working with several incredible illustrators. Out of the Blue is illustrated by the fantastic Stef Murphy and What the Crow Saw Below has been created with the artist Greg Stobbs. Greg has a background in street art and has actually been painting some crows out and about, in Bristol and soon in Canterbury and I’m really looking forward to taking trips to see them. 

Do you have a favourite illustration from the book by Greg Stobbs?

Oh there are so many beautiful moments in Greg’s work it’s hard to choose but a page I really love is the page on which the crows have settled down to nap but the young crow can’t stop her racing mind. I love that the crows are nestled down in the tangled twisted branches but the young crow has her eyes open and there is a glimmer of light hinting at adventure beyond the tree tops. I also love the reveal of what the young crow finds above. I love the contrast from the tangled twisted branches up into the big, bright, blue and white sky! I love how much wonder, freedom and joy Greg has captured in this moment.

Can you think of a song and a film that might link to What the Crow Saw Below?

Oh that’s something I’ve never been asked before! Well this story is all about finding the hope and joy in the world around us and I can’t help but think of ‘What a Wonderful World’, originally recorded by Louis Armstrong. My husband’s grandad actually sang this song at our wedding last year so it’s very special to me and it’s a song filled with pure love and optimism. Film-wise Paddington springs to mind. I can’t quite decide between the first and second (and I can’t wait for the third one) but a bit like the song ‘What a Wonderful World’, the Paddington films always fill me a sense of positivity and hope and courage and that’s how I hope people feel when they reach the end of What the Crow Saw Below. 

What can we look forward to from you next? 

There’s another book on its way very soon! Flow with the Snow is a joyful journey through the water-cycle. It’s a story about following dreams and about what it is to change but at the same time, stay true to yourself. I feel extremely fortunate to be working again with the wonderful team at Oxford Children’s and to be telling this story with the immensely talented illustrator, Oliver Averill. The way Oliver has brought this story to life is so full of beauty and energy and the wonders of nature and I can’t wait for readers to join the Snow on her adventure!

Finally, can you describe What the Crow Saw Below in three words?

Hope over fear.